Rethinking the Hotel Bar

Named to several “best bars” lists in their respective towns, these Valencia Group spots for a well-crafted cocktail and pulsing nightlife may cast aside all your preconceptions of hotel bars.

Forget everything you thought you knew about hotel bars. Forget the stodgy drink menus, elevator music, and generic rooms packed to the studs with cheap vinyl and fluorescent lighting.

Instead, in each Valencia Group property, you’ll find a craft cocktail menu that is the envy of Houston, national touring acts that make other Austin stages feel like open mic night, and posh San Antonio grottos and San Jose terraces where you’ll find just as many locals as guests. Each of these bars bring something different to their city’s bar scene, but the common thread is that they truly are part of the local nightlife – largely because celebrating the local flavor and culture isn’t just an ideological garnish.

San Antonio, TX

This sleek bar has been voted “Best Hotel Bar” in the city by San Antonio Magazine because it balances a welcoming, intimate atmosphere with an ultra-cool look found in the crushed brick ceilings and leather styling.

San Jose, CA

A vintage Spanish comic strip bar top and plush seating give this modern bar a one-two punch of style and personality. Speaking of punch, make sure you’ve got your gloves up before you dive into the sweet-and-spicy Habanero Margarita made with Sauza Blue Silver and Cointreau.

Houston, TX

This bar’s signature blackberry-infused Monnalisa cocktail, light dinner fare, and rooftop poolside patio have helped the hotel gain lofty status as one of the best spots for Houston nightlife on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 “Top 100 Hotels in the World” and “Top 25 Hotels in the United States” lists.

This European bar’s atmosphere is as smooth as the handmade cocktails on its expansive craft menu, which includes absinthe favorites, like the Lillet Blanc–infused Necromancer and the Milano Firing Squad, a serrano- and cayenne-spiced mango mescal that hits as hard as the name implies.

Austin, TX

Signature twists on iconic Texas grub, including smoked brisket tacos and a hibiscus- and vodka-infused peach sun tea known as the Chill Cowboy, are mixed with rustic flare and live local music inside this chic, barn-like eatery and bar.

College Station, TX

Inspired by early military design and the camaraderie of adjacent Texas A&M University, this cozy bar features community-style tables, an outdoor fire pit, and a hand-shaken cocktail menu large enough to help you cheer on the Aggies long into the night.